Business of the Week: Scattered Books, Chappaqua

There may be those who subscribe to the theory that conventional bookstores are outdated.

Laura Scott Schaefer sees it a little differently. A few months ago, the Briarcliff Manor resident kept on hearing the clamor for a local place where parents can shop for books for their children and themselves and bring their kids in as well.

On Nov. 21, Schaefer opened Scattered Books, in the space previously occupied by Marmalade at 29 King St. in downtown Chappaqua.

“It seemed like there was a need,” Schaefer said. “People really wanted a bookstore. I looked into Chappaqua, just an exploratory interest, and within three days there were over 500 comments. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Schaefer has a special perspective about the business; she’s a children’s book author herself with five published titles, including her latest works “The Crumbles Chronicles: Tales of a Nervous Dog” series, which of course are carried at Scattered Books.

There are books available for children at every level, from toddlers through the young adult titles, along with a full array of good reads for adults in almost any genre – bestsellers, historical fiction, biographies and much more.

If a customer doesn’t see a book that they’re looking for, Scattered Books will order it for them. In the first couple of weeks Schaefer and her staff completed more than 50 special orders.

Schaefer has also sought to make the store a fun and inviting place where visitors can browse and buy books, look for gifts or attend one of the many author appearances or themed workshops that she has scheduled.

“I want to do creative stuff for kids and adults,” she said. “I feel like adults want to do creative staff at that higher level and I think it’s fun for them.”

“We’re kind of a community place,” Schaefer added. “We’re going to be doing stuff for Valentine’s Day, a Valentine’s Day date night, a men’s only shopping night. Things like that.”

Over the Thanksgiving weekend there was a journal-making workshop for girls. Next month, Schaefer plans on offering a write-your-own-story workshop.

There have already been appearances by several authors with many more to follow. Last Friday, the store hosted Andrea Strongwater, for a discussion and signing of her “Lost Synagogues” books, while on Saturday there was a meet and greet with award-winning author Les Child, and Andy Martin, who wrote a book on Child.

This weekend local author Barbara Dee will appear on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. and town resident Jackie McCarthy, who wrote “Raising Creative Thinkers,” will visit Sunday at 11:30 a.m. There will also be free activities for kids during McCarthy’s visit.

Schaefer hopes to be a resource for some of the area schools. She plans on reaching out to the schools to get an accurate accounting of what they would like to see in a local bookstore.

The roughly 1,000-square-foot space features a separate children’s play area where the little ones can have some fun while their parents shop, Schaefer said. Scattered Books is also a place to pick up gifts, particularly for teachers.

While Schaefer is grateful for the enthusiasm for her store, it’s not surprising to her that residents want to support a well-run local, independent bookstore.

“This town specifically, it seems like it’s very important to them,” she said. “It’s definitely an intellectual crowd, which is great for a bookstore, and they want their children to be very literate. If fits in well with the demographics, which is nice.”

Aside from the comfortable and friendly ambiance, one feature that Scattered Books provides that Amazon doesn’t is gift wrap.

Scattered Books is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 914-529-8013 or visit www.scatteredbooks.com.